Welcome to Full Bloom Cottage

Sunday, October 31, 2010

It is hardly a cave, but with a house full of boys, there is no room for such a feminine space. I am the mother of 3 lovely boys. A 13 year old, 11 year old and a 7 year old. So with my husband the ratio is 4:1.

The only really true feminine space in my home is the dining room, and it has been through some major transformations, it took a long time to find all of the right pieces and just get it right. But when I did, I knew it, it just felt right.

Here it is before this lovely shade of aqua, it was a $5 can of oops paint from the home depot. Along with my gray hutch and natural cane back chairs.

Then I wanted to try to add a pier mirror, with a different set of slip covered parsons chairs. Still not quite right...

Oops forgot to mention, that this was the chandelier before I changed it to the last one...

Viola..... I added a large ribbon carved pier mirror, some newly slip covered french cane back chairs, a concrete cherub from the garden, and my sanctuary was complete...

Now I do consider this to be my cave, this is where I sit down and create, on my sewing machine. Most days the table is filled with scraps of linens.

So is the floor, you usually can never see it....

This is also the place where we blow out the candles,

and where many of my culinary creations happen...

Last but not least, my latest addition to the dining room, this centerpiece I made with my own hydrengeas that I dried from my English garden....

Halloween - by Mary Jane Carr Witches flying past on broomsticks, Black cats leaping here and there, White-robed spooks on every corner, Mournful moaning in the air, Goblins peering out of windows, Spirit-things that rap and run- But don't be scared-it's just October, Having one last hour of fun!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

As I was muddling through some of my favorite photos, I came across these again, which happened one summer day...

Out in the English Rose Garden, pulling weeds, turning soil, I started plucking away at my roses.

I have alot of the David Austin variety, a friend turned me on to them. They are some of my favorite roses. Double full blooms, look like old antique roses. As the colors so vibrantly fade to pale memories of what it used to be.

Time of Roses

by Thomas Hood

It was not in the Winter
Our loving lot was cast;
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!

That churlish season never frown'd
On early lovers yet:
O no—the world was newly crown'd
With flowers when first we met!

'Twas twilight, and I bade you go,
But still you held me fast;
It was the time of roses—
We pluck'd them as we pass'd!

This particular variety is on of my favorite, after a day or so the rose petals start to look like paper, they get a little brown around the edges, simply delightful...

This is my dining room, it is ever evolving. No matter how many times I change, or add things, I'm constantly changing the center piece. From maiden hair ferns, to fresh plucked hydrengeas from the garden. This is a room I love to show and tell about my ever evolving changes.

My favorite display in my home which only last a little while, are the old trophy urns, something about these fresh cut flowers, you could stare at them all day....

My sealife. I have little trays and bowls around the house filled with sea treasures.

They give me such a sense of peace, and calm, even in the most hectic day.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I can't remember the last time we had so much gloom and rain here... I love the weather, I'm not complaining, it makes me want to stay home and curl up under a blanket, browse through my many magazines, and do absolutely nothing...

Painting furniture was put on hold for the week, it was to damp, and rainy. So I decided to venture out and take 1 day off this week. I found myself wandering through Rogers Gardens, in Newport Beach.

I don't get to come here often, but every time I do, I get inspired! Join me on my tour today....

Through the beautiful topiary arches...

They have the most beautiful displays for Fall, Halloween, and Christmas.

English statuary, white hydrengeas, and maiden hair fern make the perfect display.

I know it seems early for Xmas trees. But these live beautiful Silver Nobles make me want to pull out the decorations.

These cute hand carved teak pumpkin heads would be perfect in the yard or on the front porch...

Perfect Little Girls Room

Alabaster Rose

"I found the fabulous Full Bloom Cottage a few months back and fell completely in love with Loretta's beautiful furnishings and sumptuous linens. Her vintage European grain sack bolsters are by far a favorite of mine. Full Bloom Cottage's products are of the highest quality and will never disappoint. Loretta's use of vintage linens, chandeliers and exquisite vintage furnishings and accessories blend together to create a warm and relaxing home full of definite beauty. I am extremely blessed to have some of her lovely pieces in my own home." -Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes of Alabaster Rose Designs

A French Home in NY

" I have bought several gorgeous pieces of furniture from Loretta, I would have to say she has helped furnish three quarters of my home! If I'm asked what would be my favorite piece I wouldn't be able to choose. The armoire is just incredible, the detailing on it is so unique, the chandelier in my dining room is to die for! My armiore in my bedroom is just perfect, I love waking to it every morning. Not to mention all the other pieces! I'm always anticipating what she's going to have next, and what new piece of furniture that I will be adding to my home!" Rebecca -A French Home in NY